The complexity of environmental policy implementation in China: a set-theoretic approach to environmental monitoring policy dynamics

Abstract

The implementation of environmental monitoring policies is of great significance in reducing pollution and improving the ecological environment. This study looks at three dimensions of Sabatier’s policy environment framework: the tractability of the problem, the ability of the statute to structure implementation, and non-statutory variables, explores in detail the complex configuration of technology availability, change required, financial resources, implementing officials, public support, and socio economic conditions. The results based on data from 30 provinces in China identify four different combinations of conditions that match “Opinions on Deepening the Reform of Environmental Monitoring and Improving the Quality of Environmental Monitoring Data” environmental monitoring policy implementation: “priority governance” means that the change required is the most important variable in high-pollution provinces, “money talks” suggests that financial resources are a more important condition in north-western provinces, “coordinated implementation” is associated with non-statutory variables such as public support and socio-economic conditions being neither sufficient nor necessary conditions; and when both the ability of the statute and nonstatutory variables were identified as necessary conditions, as in the capital city, this is termed the “comprehensive strategy”.